Composite support for posts and poles.



J. P. HICKMAN. COMPOSITE SUPPORT FOR POSTS AND POLES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13, 1909.

943,747; Patented Dec. 21, 1909.

FIG. I.

WITNESSES Z Altomey JOHN F. HICKMAN,

0F TAMPA, FLORIDA.

COMPOSITE SUPPORT FOR POSTS AND POLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 13, 1909.

Patented Dec. 21, 1909.

Serial No. 472,104.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN F. HIOKMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tampa, in the county of Hillsboro and State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Composite Supports for Posts and Poles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of my invention is the provision of a base of concrete adapted to receive a fastening device for the attachment of a post or pole, which base and fastening device shall be of simple construction, comparatively cheap in first cost, and efficient and durable in use.

The invention consists in certain novelties of construction and combination of parts as hereinafter set forth and claimed.

The accompanying drawing illustrates an example of the physical embodiment of the invention constructed according to the best mode I have so far devised for the practical application of the principle.

Figure 1 is a view of the entire base, fastening device and post in perspective. Fig. 2 shows part of the stem and cap in section. Fig. 3 is a view of the fastening device in perspective.

Referring to the several figures, the numeral 1 designates the stem or lower section made of concrete and preferably angular or rectangular in cross section so as not to turn about the axis, the length thereof being several times its width or thickness, whereby, when embedded in the earth, it will retain its upright position; 2, a metallic rod embedded in the body of the concrete stem; 3, the enlarged lower end of the rod serving as an anchor to prevent the same from being withdrawn from the concrete when under tension; 4:, the projecting threaded end of the rod; 5, a cap or upper section of the base proper, preferably of an angular shape in cross section and with surfaces much larger in area than the top area of the stem which it engages in frictional contact, the cap being made of concrete as well as the stem; 6, a hole through the center of the cap; 7, wire netting or other material embedded in layers within the concrete or otherwise arranged to strengthen the cap under crushing strains; 8, the metallic fastening device for a post or pole; 9, the horizontal flat foot of the device; 10, an elongated slot through the foot whereby the device may be shifted to bring one post into line with another, when so desired; 11, a nut upon the projecting end of the rod; 12, the upright of the fastening device located at right angles to the top surface of the foot and presenting a vertical surface for the post or pole; 13, holes in the upright; 14, a brace joining the upright and foot and disposed at right angles to each, the web of said brace being substantially in line with the rod 2 and the lower part of the web being removed so a wrench can be applied to turn a nut; 15, a post; 16, U-shaped bolts with threaded ends passed around the post and their ends extending through the holes 13 in the upright; and 17 are nuts upon the ends of the U bolts.

From the foregoing description of the e 'ample of the embodiment of the invention as illustrated by the drawing, it will be clear that I have provided a very simple and durable concrete sectional base and fastening device for both posts and poles. The stem anchors the entire base against rotary motions, the cap, when located upon the top of the ground or embedded therein by its large area of surface, prevents any careening or sidewise displacement, the foot of the fastening device being held tightly against the hard surface of the cap produces a bracing effect from every direction that holds the post or pole securely in an upright position, and the brace at right angles to the foot and upright effectively strengthens the upright and in connection with it is adapted to withstand strains imparted from any direction. The wire netting embedded in the cap strengthens the same against crushing strains when the post or pole is bent sidewise and the edge of the foot forced clownwardly with a simultaneous upward tension upon the rbd embedded in the concrete. In securing a long and heavy pole to the upright the U bolts are preferably employed. A light post may be secured in position by simple bolts passed through the post and upright.

I prefer to make the fastening device in one piece and of cast metal. The can and stem are preferably made separate so they can easily be handled. I have shown the rod passed through the hole and slot in the centers of the cap and foot of the fastening device and this is a good arrangement; but in some cases where a very heavy post is to be supported a plurality of rods may be embedded in the stem and passed through holes in the cap and slots in the foot. Moreover, a plurality of bolts may be used to fasten the foot to the cap. In some cases where light posts are to be supported I may locate the foot of the fastening device in frictional contact with the top end surface of the stem and pass the end of the rod through the slot in the foot and apply the nut. ()hangesin the shapes of the stem, cap, and foot may also be introduced in the manufacture of the base and fastening device Without constitutingsubstantial departures.

What-I claim is:

1. Means for supporting posts and poles, comprising a stem with a rod having one end embedded therein and the other end projecting therefrom and threaded; a cap, of larger area than the cross section of the stem, located upon the top end of the stem and provided with a hole through which the aforesaid end of the rod is passed; an integral fastening device having a perforated foot, a perforated upright to receive bolts and a brace; and a nut; the projecting end of the said threaded rod being passed through the perforated foot and the nut applied to said threaded end of the rod.

2. Means for supporting a post or pole, comprising a stem of greater length than thickness having a rod with one end embedded therein and the other end projecting therefrom and threaded; a perforated cap of larger area than that of the end of the stem; a fastening device having a perforated foot, a perforated upright and a brace; and a nut; the free end of the rod being passed through the perforation in the cap and the perforation or slot in the foot and the nut applied to the threaded end of the rod; and the bolts being located within the perforations of the upright.

3. The combination with a concrete stem having a rod with one end embedded therein and the other end threaded and projecting therefrom, of a fastening device for a post or pole comprising an integral perforated foot, upright, and brace; and a nut; the threaded end of the rod being passed through the perforation in the foot and the nut applied to the threaded end of the rod for clamping'the parts together; and said upright of the fastening device being disposed at right angles to the plane of the foot, and the brace disposed at right angles to the plane of the foot and the face of the upright.

4. A base for supporting post and poles, comprising a stem with a rod having one end embedded therein and the other end projecting therefrom, and a concrete cap With strengthening material, as metallic gauze, embedded therein; and provided with a hole through which the rod passes when the parts are assembled.

5. The combination with a base, of an integral metallic fastening device consisting of a foot, an upright and a brace each disposed at right angles to the planes of the others, and means for securing the fastening device to the base; a post in connection with the upright; and means for securing the post to the upright.

G. The combination with a concrete stem, as 1, of a concrete cap as 5, and a rod with one end embedded in the stem and the other passed through the cap for detachably uniting the same together, said cap being centrally disposed upon the end of the stem,

which former has its horizontal surface of larger area than the end area of the stem and extends beyond the top end surface of the stem on all sides.

7. A fastening device for supporting a post or pole having a perforated foot, a perforated upright, and a brace, said brace having an opening above the perforation in the foot so a nut can be applied to a rod projecting throughsaid perforation or slot.

8. A fastening device consisting of the horizontal slotted foot 9, the upright 12, and a brace 1d joining and located at right angles to the foot and upright, and having an opening adjacent the slot in the foot, said device being cast in a single piece.

In testimony whereof I my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN F. HICKMAN.

\Vitnesses HILTON S. HAMPTON, MARY NEWSOM. 

